Multi-layer light polarizing structure



,May 2, 1961 A. M. MARKS 2,982,178

MULTI-LAYER LIGHT POLARIZING STRUCTURE w f origina; Filed Nov. 14. 1952 *INVENTOK ALVIN M. MARKS ATTORNEX United States Patent O MULTI-LAYER LIGHT POLARIZING STRUCTURE Alvin M. Marks, Whitestone, NX., assignor to Marks Polarized Corporation, Whitestone, N.Y., a corporation of New York Original application Nov. 14, 1952, Ser. No. 320,440,

now Patent No. 2,887,566, dated May 19, 1959. Divided and this application June 15, 1956, Ser. No. 591,723

7 Claims. (Cl. 88-65) This invention relates to a multi-layer light polarizing structure and is a divisional application of an application for patent filed November 14, 1952, by Alvin M. Marks, Serial No. 320,440, entitled, Glare Eliminating Optical System now U.S. Patent No. 2,887,566, issued May 19,A

An object of the present invention is to provide a polarizing means, capable 'of polarizing high intensity sources of light, without overheating.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an inexpensive light polarizing means.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a chemically inert light polarizing means.

An object of the present invention is to provide a light polarizing structure which will not deteriorate in the presence `of ultra-violet and infra-red light.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a non-absorptive type polarizer which conserves light by reflecting the component not transmitted.

A feature of the present invention is its multi-layer light polarizing structure.

A further feature of the present invention is its unitary construction.

The invention consists ofthe construction, combination and arrangement of parts, as herein illustrated, described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, forming a part hereof are illustrated ve forms of embodiment of the invention, in which drawings similar reference characters designate corresponding parts, and in which:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary view somewhat enlarged showing a ake type polarizer in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 2 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view of a multi-layer polarizer showing the various paths made by the light incident thereon.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary view somewhat enlarged of a high index light polarizing structure.

Figure 4 is a fragmentary view somewhat enlarged of a modilication of the light polarizing device shown in Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a fragmentary view somewhat enlarged of a high index polarizer made in accordance with the v present invention.

Figure 6 is a fragmentary view somewhat enlarged of another high index polarizer made in accordance with the present invention.

In the present specification, the term plane of polarization follows the old convention which makes the plane of polarization from a light beam such, that it is coincident with the magnetic vector of the said light beam;

that is, at right angles to the electric vector thereof.

The multi-layer polarizer, in contradistinction to a linear or crystal type of polarizer, which polarizes by transmitting one component and totally absorbing the `remainder of the light, polarizes by reection and refraction. This polarizer is formed of between two and twenty layers, depending on the index of refraction of ICC The layers are preferably made of a suitable material having a high index of refraction, hereinafter more speciiically described.

The multi-layer polarizers set forth herein are quite thin and may be supported by glass plates 1l, 12, comprising parallel glass plates.

Referring to Figure 1, there is shown a polarizer in which a plurality of layers 13 are formed by depositing glass akes 14, upon a suitable support plate 12. A cover glass 11 may overlie the akes 14. The glass flakes 14 are preferably of a thickness between 1 and 100 microns and of a at dimension of the order of 0.10 to 1 millimeter. These akes 14 may be suspended in an airstream and floated downwardly in a uniform layer upon a glass plate 12, similar in effect to the uniform coating produced by a snow fall. Interspersed with the flakes 14 may be a still tiner and smaller proportion of a low melting point glass 15 known commercially as solderglass (Corning Glass Works). After being deposited upon the glass plates 12, the flakes 14 are covered with a glass cover plate 11, and the entire assembly heated so as t0 cause a sintering or adhesion of the parts comprising the akes 14, the solderglass 15, and the cover plates 11, 12. Because of the low melting point of the solderglass 15 the selection of a suitable amount of heat for sintering will leave a large proportion of at air spaces between the individual plates.

Referring now to Figure 2, there is shown a secondv normal transmission may be reduced to 10%, 5%, or 1% f depending upon the number of layers, andthe index of refraction of the said layers relative to the air spaces therebetween. If the incident ray A-B makes an angle of incidence equal to Brewsters angle which is given by the following formula:

a=Tal11N Where N is the index of refraction and where alpha is Brewsters angle of incidence, then the intensity of the transmitted ray D-E will constitute almost 50% of the incident ray A-B, regardless of how many layers 16 are interposed therebetween. It is assumed however, that these layers are suiciently thin and have little or no absorptive qualities in the total thickness presented. This is actually the case for most transparent materials such as glass and transparent plastics.

totally retiected as ray G H while ray A-B is transmitted to the extent of about 50% as ray D-E without absorption at Brewsters angle. The other 50% of ray A-B is reflected as ray B-C, which is polarized in the plane of the paper, while the transmitted ray D-E is polarized in the plane normal to the plane of the paper.

As a further embodiment of the present invention, sheets of glass may be coated with certain materials having a high index of refraction for the purpose of producing a multi-layer polarizer. Such materials which may be used in this connection are as follows:

(Titanium dioxide, index 2.4) (Zinc sulfide, index 2.4) (Stannic oxide, index 1.8) (Selenium, index 3.0)

lulose acetate, polyester film or extremely thin glass ribbon Patented May 2, 1961 The ray F-G v which is almost at normal incidence will be practically is employed. The surfaces 19, 20 of the thin sheet member 18 are eoated with a high index film 21 of approximately .0001" to .0005" thick of one or more of the materials set forth above. The methods of applying suchform a multi-layer polarizer, provides highly satisfatcory l results employing a structure comprising a few layers. The layers of titanium dioxide 21 shown in Figure 4, may be separated, for example, by suitable low index of transparent material such as glass sheets 22, which preferably may have an index of refraction of 1.50, or less.

' Referring now to Figures 5 and 6, there are shown certain novel polarizing structures which employ high index coatings, such as titanium dioxide, which has an index of 2.4 relative to air. In Figure 5 there is shown a glass plate 23, having deposited on it a number of layers such as 24, 2S and 26. The layers 24 and 26 comprise high index coatings such as titanium dioxide while the thin layers 25 between are of low index consisting of, for example, a thin silica film or a magnesium fluoride film. In like manner the other face of the glass plate 23 also contains high index film 27 and 28 with a low index film 29 interspersed therebetween. The composite structure shown in .Figure 5 is capable of polarizing light to a high degree, at angles of incidence in the vicinity of 60.

By forming a structure (not shown) similar to Figure 5, comprising three layers having high indices of refraction, and two layers between having low indices of refraction, on each face thereof, making a total number of six layers of high index of refraction, approximately ninety-eight percent of the light may be polarized in the vicinity of approximately 60 angle of incidence.

Calculation shows that the relative index of refraction between the layers 24 and 25, for example, where the indices of refraction of the individual film relative to air are 2.4 and 1.3 respectively, is 1.85. In a similar manner, the indices of refraction of the high index film 26 relative to glass 23 of index of refraction 1.5, is 1.6. It will be noted that these indices of refraction are reladex of refraction is 1.6 and a high degree of polarization may be obtained with approximately 2-12 titanium dioxide films with glass in between. i'

The structure shown in Figures-3, 4, 5 and 6, have the further advantage that the coatings are thin, uniform, and remain flat by reason of the support upon flat glass surfaces. The structures comprising air inter-spaces have a tendency to depart from flatness and have a tendency to scatter and disperse light somewhat thus making such materials translucent. Where it is desired to transmit optical images the articles shown in Figures 3, 4, 5 and 6 are preferable. Since the films 24, 25 and 26 are extremely thin they are not likely to give rise to multiple noticeably separated reflections which would cause multiple images.

In connection with the thickness of the films 24, 25, and 26, it has been found that a thickness of approximately one-quarter wave length of yellow light to normally incident light will facilitate normal reflection for the high index film such as 24 and one-quarter wave length of yellow light for the low index film such as 25 and, owing to the increased path lengths tend to facilitate the transmission and reflection of polarized light at angles of incidence greater than normal.

The simple single glass construction shown in Figure 3, wherein titanium dioxide layers are coated upon each surface of the glass solves the practicable problem imposed by multilayer polarizers. These polarizers have heretofore been dillcult to fashion, because the layers have had to be thin and numerous, yet supported in an absolute plane in order to obtain accurate reflection so as to insure the parallelism of the reflected beam. The single glass construction as taught herein provides highly useful retively high, and correspond roughly to those ordinarily obtainable for films of the low index materials relative to air.

Referring now to Figure 6 there is shown a composite structure comprising high index film such as titanium dioxide, 30, 31, 32 and 33, which have been formed on thin sheets of micro or ribbon glass 34. These sheets are then laid together in the absence of air and pressed while heated and softened together to form a fused composite or unitary layer.

Polarizing sheets such as are shown in Figures 5 and` 6 are unitary in structure and can be handled as a single piece. They can be made in large sheets and cut just as an ordinary piece of glass. The articles thus have the utility of ordinary pieces of glass while at the same time having the property of polarizing light owing to their multi-layered structure.

It has been found that it is possible to obtain effective polarization with a minimum number of layers by emuploying materials such that the relative index4 of refraction between surfaces is at least 1.5 and preferably of 2.0 or more. The use of the titanium dioxide film disclosed herewith is particularly suitable in constructing the articles shown in Figures 5 and 6. In Figure 5, for example, where the interlayer 23 may be of an index of refraction 1.3, the relative index of refraction is 1.85. ln Figure 6, for example, where the interlayer 34 may comprise glass of index of refraction 1.5, the relative insults but it will of course be apparent that the polarizers having additional layers such as have hereinabove been set forth and are shown in Figures 4, 5 and 6, may be employed to obtain even greater polarizing ratios.

In tests made with two layers of glass covered on each side with one-quarter wave titanium dioxide coatings, a peak transmission was achieved with the angle of incidence, at 20 of S31/2% and a polarizing ratio of 12 to 1. At an angle of 15 transmission dropped to 50% but the polarizing ratio increased to 17.7.

Having thus fully described the invention, what is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent of the United States, is:

1. A panel having the property of polarizing light passing therethrough comprising, a plurality of light transmitting thin glass ilakes disposed in substantially parallel orientation with respect to each other and the plane of the panel, and spaced from each other over the greater portion of their areas and having substantially flat air spaces therebetween and a quantity of transparent adhesive material interstitially carried by the panel flakes at their contact edges to secure the flakes together, said flakes and air spaces being of abruptly different index of refraction.

2. A multi-layer light polarizer comprising, a plurality of randomly disposed transparent flakes of a thickness of from l to microns and a flat dimension of the order of 0.10 to 1 millimeters in parallel orientation, said flakes having a large area to thickness ratio, air spaces between the akes, said` flakes and air spaces having different indices of refraction and a binder incorporated therewith to bind the flakes into a unitary structure having of the order of 2 to 20 layers therein.

3. A multi-layer light polarizer comprising, a plurality of randomly disposed light transmitting flakes in parallel orientation, said flakes having a flat dimension of the order of 0.10 to 1 millimeters and a thickness of from l to 100 microns interspersed with air spaces, said flakes and air spaces being of different indices of refraction 4. A multi-layer light polarizer comprising, a plurality of light transmitting glass akes, said akes having a flat dimension of the order of 0.10 to l millimeters and a thickness of from 1 to 100 microns disposed in the plane of the polarizer, a plurality of air spaces between the akes, said flakes and air spaces being of different indices of refraction and a quantity of low melting point glass beads of substantially smaller size than the akes interspersed among the akes to hold the said akes in spaced parallel relationship with each other, said akes forming a multi-layered structure having of the order of 2 to 20 layers therein.

5. A multi-layer light polarizer comprising, a plurality of light transmitting glass akes, said flakes having a at dimension of the order of 0.10 to l millimeters and a thickness of from 1 to 100 microns disposed in the plane of the polarizer, a plurality of air spaces between the akes, said tlakes and air spaces being of different indices of refraction and a quantity of low melting point glass beads of substantially smaller size than the akes interspersed among and fused to the akes to hold the said akes in spaced parallel relationship with each other, said flakes forming a multi-layered structure having of the order of 2 to 20 layers therein.

6. A multi-layer light polarizer comprising, a at glass plate, a plurality of light transmitting glass flakes upon said plate, said ilakes having a at dimension of the order of 0.10 to l millimeters and a thickness of from 1 to 100 microns disposed in the plane of the plate, a

plurality of air spaces between the tlakes, said flakes and air spaces being of dierent indices of refraction and a quantity of low melting point glass beads of substantially smaller size than the akes interspersed among the akes to hold the said flakes in spaced parallel relationship with each other, said flakes forming a multi-layered structure having of the order of 2 to 2O layers therein.

7. A panel having the property of polarizing light passing therethrough comprising, a first transparent sheet, a second transparent sheet spaced from and parallel to said rst sheet, a plurality of light transmitting thin glass flakes randomly aligned but in substantial parallelism with respect to each other and the plane of the panel lling the space between said sheets, substantially at air spaces between the flakes and transparent adhesive means for securing the akes to each other and to the sheets, said flakes and air spaces being of abruptly different index of refraction.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Slayter Nov. 9, 1954 

